 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2002-06-05 01:36
I'm playing for 3 ensembles on Sunday at the local arts festival... I have some major solo's so i need the good tone of my r13, but will playing outside hurt it ? I mean, It will be outside in the heat, and humidity for quite a while.. I asked my director and he said No, take it; you'll be in the shade. I don't know if he was honest in his opinion, or just worried tone wise of his group. What's your take ? Is it worth the risk or should I take another honr ?
Thanks !
Laur
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-06-05 01:47
How long will it be out in the heat? And about how hot is it?
I would say that as long as there are no sudden temperature changes and that you swab it really well, there shouldn't be too much to worry about. Someone else can tell you better.
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2002-06-05 02:07
It will be outside from 11 - 3 ~ It'll be in the low 80's--give or take.. It's suppose to be beautiful, I dunnoo, I live on Long Island, and it's been hot lately.
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Author: John
Date: 2002-06-05 02:16
I would never take my wooden clarinet outdoors. You never ever know what could happen to it. There are too many risks involved in my opinion. But that's just my take. You could use a non-wood with your good mouthpiece, say, a Pyne.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-06-05 03:11
Let the clarinet adjust to the ambient teperature before you blow it and keep direct sunlight off it where possible. They are not that fragile! People have been playing wooden instruments outside all over the world in different climates all year round for a few hundred years.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-06-05 03:12
There should be no problem unless it rains. The other hazards are not weather related, things like dropping it on the concrete for example.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-06-05 03:45
If the instrument is not kept in an airconditioned building, the temp and humidity will not be much diferent than it usually experiences. If your home is airconditioned and you occasionally turn the system off while away, the instrument may be even warmer indoors at those times (esp if the windows remain closed!) than it will during your outdoor concert. Otherwise, direct sunlight is not very good for many things, and rain is a definite problem.
Be sure you have clips for the music in case the wind comes up.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-06-05 04:16
Don't forget sunblock in case there is more sun on you than you need. Good luck!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-05 10:38
1. Bagpipes have been played outdoors, including in the sun, for a very long time.
2. Is your band director offering to replace it it cracks? It isjust a bit too easy for him to be so confident.
3. Don't forget to put sunblock over the timber of your clarinet to save it from the destructive effects of UV light. Just joking - inspired by the last post!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-06-05 13:50
Every time I'm to play out-of-doors at our comm. band concerts on my fine wood bass clar, with my fine glass mp!!, I try to anticipate the hazards involved. Weather [its likely to rain, tho we will be under a tent tonite, but at least not hot sunlite], and surface, [happily it'll be on grass]. I'm exceedingly careful as glass mps are usually only dropped ONCE!! Think and use caution. I am considering playing my plastic bass and HR mp tonite and for future concerts. Don
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2002-06-05 14:57
Back in the late 50's about 10 of the 20 or so clarinets in our high school band were wooden. None of us in our working class town had back up instruments. We marched in fourth of July parades (90 degrees) and at football games as late in the year as Thanksgiving (30 degees). I never heard of clarinets being ruined by the weather. We were more concerned about what rain did to leather cases, and hoped that the brass players lips didn't freeze to their mouthpieces. Obviously direct sunlight should be avoided if possible, but I feel that a few hours at 80 plus degrees shouldn't hurt your instrument.
However, the final decision is yours. If you are worried, and have access to an alternate clarinet, use the alternate.
John
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-05 16:28
Take a plastic bag big enough to put your clarinet in if it starts to rain
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Author: David
Date: 2002-06-06 16:53
A doddle. The only problems associated with playing outside are:
the sound goes nowhere;
you get sunstroke;
I draw the line at playing in the rain. When that happens, wimp out and leave it to the brass dudes.
Hot day, you won't need to swab out. In fact, you may have a job keeping the reed damp. If it is be hot enough to damage your clarinet, the pads have already fallen off and you're probably dead anyway.
If you're outside in the winter, get a sax. You can play them with gloves on, but don't expect toget anywhere near 440Hz...
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Author: Lee
Date: 2002-06-06 18:10
I acquired my R-13 in 1954 and played it through Jr HI, HS, and college as my only clarinet -- marching in parades, football games, and outdoor concerts with no damage. The temperatures have run from about 100 with humidity to marching in a winter parade with the temp so low that the trumpets were using etheline glycol for valve lube. So far there has been no problem. Just try to keep the clarinet out of driving rain and dry it well before putting it away.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-06-06 20:12
David wrote:
>
> but don't expect toget anywhere near
> 440Hz...
Unless you're fingering a B ... ;^)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-07 00:03
Good topic and timely as well, Laurie.
I have a Moennig Bros. wood horn that, in it's youth, was exposed to three digit temps, snow conditions, wind chill factor of who knows how much and gross neglect. Oh yes, a little rain occasionally. Not all in the same day, mind you. It now has new pads and all that keen stuff and plays as happily as it did the day it came from the factory. Aside from a few nicks and scratches it's none the worse off for all its hardships.
The instrument is over fourty years old and, in clarinet years, that's verrry old. I don't recommend torturing your clarinet in this manner but, if the wood is a good piece to begin with, there isn't too much you can do to ruin it.
Don't get me wrong; if you can afford it, by all means get a back-up instrument for those not-so-important occasions. It's worth your peace of mind, if nothing else, and you'll play better without the angst
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2002-06-07 02:57
I have a backup instrument, but the tone is horrible, and playing above a high C is very difficult. ( 3/4 of my songs are up in that screachy horrible octave ! ) I'm torn on what i should do. I think i'll just take it - be extra careful, and baby it afterwards lol.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-07 16:35
Is your backup instrument in good working order? Padded and adjusted properly, it shouldn't be 'horrible'. Not so good, maybe, but not horrible :|
Maybe it needs a checkup, tune-up, not an expensive overhaul. I mean, replacing any worn pads and cork and an adjustment is usually pretty 'cost effective'
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-08 03:45
The only instruments I could actually describe as 'horrible' if they are working correctly, are (some) Chinese ones, and maybe early Jupiter.
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